Method and means for the retention of locks across system, subsystem, and communication failures in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming, shared data environment

ABSTRACT

Method and means for operating a computing system for controlling access to and maintaining the integrity of data resources shared by multiple applications executing on a plurality of central electronic complexes (CEC&#39;s) while minimizing communication of sharing control parameters between different electronic complexes. Each complex includes a resource lock manager (IRLM) which maintains the hold and wait locks for applications executing under one or more information management subsystems on the complex and selected wait locks for the other complex. Selective communication of lock request information is controlled by hash tables maintained in synchronization in each IRLM, which denote the interest of each complex in each hash class, or congruence class, of data resources. A first complex already having exclusive use of a congruence class grants locks on data resources which map into the congruence class without communication of the request to the other complex. When such communication is required, and the other complex determines that an inconsistent hold lock already exists for the data resource of the request, the lock request is waited in both IRLM&#39;s. When the inconsistant hold lock is subsequently released, the wait lock is deleted from the IRLM of the other complex, and the first complex grants the requested lock. 
     Each IRLM also includes an identified subsystem list (ISL), which is maintained in synchronization and used along with the hash tables and hold/wait locks to retain locks across CEC, subsystem, and communication link failures and to enhance recovery thereafter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the methods of operating general purpose digital computing systems on one or more programs at the same time. More specifically, the present invention relates to dynamically controlling access to and maintaining the integrity of resources shared by different programs executing on one or more central electronic complexes which minimizing communication of sharing control parameters between different central electronic complexes.

BACKGROUND ART

In large data base systems where many work units or subtasks have a need to share access to the same records, there is a need to manage concurrent access to maintain integrity of the data.

One prior art approach to data sharing is illustrated by the concurrent accessing of a VSAM (Virtual Sequential Access Method) data set by two or more subtasks within a single partition, by two or more job steps (partitions), and by any number of users (cross-system sharing). As is explained in VSAM Primer and Reference, IBM Publication G320-5774-01 (1979), at pages 95-97, various options are available for opening a data set for either read or write.

In VSAM cross-partition/region sharing the option is defined by the SHARE OPTIONS parameter of the DEFINE command when the VSAM data set is defined. By a first option, a data set may be opened by only one user for output processing (to update or add records), or by multiple users for read operations only. By this option, full read and write integrity is provided. In a second option, a data set can be opened by one user for output processing and by multiple users for read-only processing. In this option, write integrity is provided, but read integrity is not, as users can read a record that is in the process of being updated. In a third option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operations, and no integrity (read or write) is provided by VSAM.

In VSAM cross-systems sharing, by a first option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operation, and no integrity is provided by VSAM. In a second option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operations--however, VSAM provides a new buffer for each direct processing request, and RESERVE and RELEASE macros must be issued by users to maintain data set integrity.

In each of the above options, except the first, the user of VSAM must maintain data set integrity, issuing the required ENQ/DEQ or RESERVE/RELEASE macros.

In the prior art IBM IMS/VS product, the issuance of such macros is a function of the Program Isolation facility. (See IMS/VS Version 1 Primer, Program Number 5740-XX2, Release 1.5, IBM Publication SH 20-1945-0, pages 3.12-3.14.) However, this facility does not provide for multiple concurrent access to common data by users executing on different central electronic complexes (CEC's), resulting in a significant impediment to the efficient use of data bases by large organizations.

One prior art approach to enabling multiple concurrent access to common data is S. B. Behman, et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 965,810, filed Dec. 4, 1978 (SA976036) for External Enqueue Facility for Access to Sharable Data FAcilities. Behman, et al, is a concurrency notification facility. External Enqueue Facility (EEF) 5 maintains for each member CPU and congruence class an interest bit. When set, the interest bit indicates that the CPU holds or is waiting for a lock on a data resource of the corresponding concurrence class. Each CPU includes an Internal Enqueue Facility (IEF), which maintains for each congruence class a lock bit. Request for access to data resource is granted by the CPU if the corresponding lock bit in the IEF is set; but if not set, the request must be communicated first to the EEF and thence to other CPU's showing in the EEF an interest in the congruence class of the request. The Behman system is, in effect, a concurrency notifier, there being no structure described for controlling concurrent access. Furthermore, the EEF structure is implemented either in a separate hardware device or in one of the CPU's. A failure in the EEF effectively prevents communication between the CPU's and processing of any data resource access request by any of the CPU's: there being no provision in each CPU for maintaining locks held by failed CPU's or the EEF for subsequent recovery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved method and structure for controlling concurrent access to data resources by multiple users on the same and/or different central electronic complexes (CEC's).

It is a further object of the invention to provide a locking structure which enables recovery from subsystem, communication, and lock manager failures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved communication protocol for optimizing the communication of lock data between CEC's concurrently accessing data resources.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for operating a general purpose computing system to control the allocation of data, communication, and computing resources among plural users in a multiprogramming and multiprocessor environment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method and means for inhibiting access to shared data resources that may be inconsistent due to failure of a CEC, operating system, subsystem, or communication link.

According to this invention, method and means are provided for controlling access to shared data resources in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming general purpose computing environment to inhibit access to data resources that may be inconsistent due to failures of a communication link, operating system, subsystem, or lock control structure. Maintained within each of a plurality of central electronic complexes is a lock control structure, the lock control structure including a global hash table containing (for each complex) an indication of interest in data resources in a plurality of congruence classes, the lock control structure also including a subsystem list identifying each subsystem associated with each lock control structure. Responsive to failure of a first subsystem, all locks previously granted to the first subsystem are retained within the lock control structure until released by restart or recovery of the first subsystem. Access by the other subsystems is enabled only to specific data resources not locked by the first subsystem. Responsive to failure of a first operating system on a first complex, the global hash table entries for the first complex are retained in the lock control structure of the other complexes. The granting of new locks for data resources in those congruence classes in which the first complex had an interest is inhibited until the global hash table entries for the first complex have been cleared by restart/recovery of all subsystems associated with the lock control structure of the first complex. Responsive to failure of a communication link interconnecting two complexes, each complex is operated to inhibit the granting of locks for any data resource of a congruence class in which the complex did not have a prior interest together with no prior interest by the other complex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic representation of a typical computing system configuration for operation according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagrammatic view of resource lock manager of FIG. 1.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a computer structure and method for operating a general purpose computer for sharing data resources while maintaining integrity and recovery from failures, all with optimum utilization of such computing resources as storage, communication, and computing facilities.

In R. L. Obermarck, et al, "Method and Means for the Sharing of Data Resources in a Multiprocessing, Multiprogramming Environment", U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,504 there is claimed the method and apparatus for accessing shared data using a global hash table structure. Herein is claimed the method and apparatus for retention of locks across failures and to facilitate recovery and inhibit access to data which may be inconsistent due to the failure. This specification, for completeness, sets forth both of the above closely related inventions.

The invention is substantially embodied in a resource lock manager module, structured to operate a general purpose computing system according to the method of the invention. The resource lock manager functions include the following procedures:

    ______________________________________                                                       TABLE                                                            ______________________________________                                         LOCK            4                                                              UNLOCK          8                                                              INQUIRY         6                                                              INQRESP         7                                                              GHTUPD          10                                                             GRANT           9                                                              PTB             5                                                              IDENT           11                                                             QUIT            12                                                             VERIFY          13                                                             PURGE           14                                                             FAIL            15                                                             RECONNECT       16                                                             ______________________________________                                    

These procedures will be described in connection with the pseudocode representation of the invention in Tables 4 through 16, below. The above procedures use the following data objects:

    ______________________________________                                         MCB          Master Control Block                                              RHT          Resource Hash Table                                               GHT          Global Hash Table                                                 RGHT         Retained Locks Global Hash Table                                  RHB          Resource Header Block                                             RLB          Resource Lock Block                                               WHB          Work Unit Block                                                   SIDB         Subsystem Identify Block                                          ISL          Identified Subsystem List                                         RLPL         Resouce Lock Request Parameter                                                 List                                                              ______________________________________                                    

These data objects will be described in connection with FIG. 2, which sets forth a typical configuration of an IRLM 61, 62 and is useful in explaining the relationships between these data structures for various data sharing and failure modes. The RHB, RLB, WHB, and SIDB chains are dynamically structured within each central electronic complex (CEC), as will be more fully described.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a typical system with plural central electronic complexes (CEC's) 11, 12 sharing access to data stored in Direct Access Storage Devices (DASD) 13 and 14. Within each complex 11, 12 is a real or virtual address space, including a number of data storage and program areas. Those pertinent to the operation of the system according to the method of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 and include a host operating system 21, 22; one or more information management systems (IMS) 31-34; a buffer pool 41-44 for each IMS; a data base recovery control (DBRC) system 51, 52; and an IMS resource lock manager (IRLM) 61, 62.

Each IMS 31-34 is adapted for communication with one of transaction log tapes 71-74. Complexes 11, 12 are interconnected by communications controller 27 (or, alternatively, by a channel-to-channel adapter) and are loosely coupled through shared DASD's 13, 14 and control data set 57.

Each central electronic complex 11, 12 comprises a general purpose central processing unit--together with main storage and virtual storage devices, and the necessary channels and peripheral equipment, such as the IBM System/360 or IBM System/370, the architecture of which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,371 by G. M. Amdahl, et al, entitled, "Data Processing System", and in IBM System/370 Principles of Operation, IBM Publication GA22-7000-6.

Each complex 11, 12 operates under control of an operating system 21, 22, such as the IBM System/360 and 370 Operating Systems, IBM Publications, GC 28-0661, and GC 20-1800. IMS's 31-34 execute under control of their respective operating systems 21, 22--and utilize these operating system facilities for interfacing communications controller 27, which may be, for example, an IBM 3705 Communications Controller. This invention provides enhancements to the IBM IMS/VS, program product number 5740-XX2 as described in IBM Publication SH20-9145-0, to provide a new and useful method for sharing of data on DASD devices 13, 14 between IMS's 31-34 executing on the same or different CEC's 11, 12.

Data base recovery control (DBRC) modules 51, 52 on each CEC share a control data set 57, which may reside on a direct access storage device, such as an IBM 3350. An example of a DBRC is the IBM IMS/VS Data Base Recovery Control Feature, program number 5740-XX2, described in IBM Publication SH35-0027-1, as modified to operate a computing system according to the invention, as will be subsequently described.

Referring further to FIG. 1, the operation of a typical computing system, including two CEC's 11, 12, will be described. Assuming that no failure conditions exist, one or more application programs (not shown) execute in a multiprogramming environment on each CEC, each one under control of one of IMS's 31-34.

When an application work unit executing under IMS 31, for example, requires access to a data resource residing, for example, on DASD 13, IMS 31 will generate a lock request for communication to IRLM 61, as is represented by control path 35. A lock request includes the information in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Lock Request Format                                                            ______________________________________                                         Key      Hash   State      SIDB Addr                                                                              Option                                      ______________________________________                                    

The Key field gives the name of the data base record, or resource, to which access is required. The Hash field gives the hash class, or congruence class of the resource--which is determined by any one of a number of hashing techniques available in the prior art, such as described in Behman, et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 965,810, filed Dec. 4, 1978. The State field specifies one of eight lock states and is used to determine resultant state and compatibility when a data resource is being locked by more than one work unit. In order to permit a data resource to be locked more than once by a given work unit, when a work unit locks a resource for a second time, specifying a different state than for the first lock request, the state in which the lock is finally held should be one that carries the privileges of the second state without losing those conferred by the first. This permits a nonhierarchical privilege order, where each higher state does not necessarily include all the privileges of the preceding one.

The state value from the lock request State field, and that of the prior lock request by the same work unit for the same resource, are used to enter the following resultant state matrix to obtain a third state. The lock request is then processed in IRLM 61 as a request for the third state.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Resultant State Matrix (Third State)                                           Requested                                                                      Held    1     2       3   4     5   6     7   8                                ______________________________________                                         1       1     2       3   4     5   6     7   8                                2       2     2       3   4     5   6     7   8                                3       3     3       3   6     5   6     7   8                                4       4     4       6   4     5   6     7   8                                5       5     5       3   5     5   6     7   8                                6       6     6       6   6     6   6     7   8                                7       7     7       7   7     7   7     7   8                                8       8     8       8   8     8   8     8   8                                ______________________________________                                    

When more than one work unit is accessing the same resource, the following matrix is used to determine if the lock request states are compatible (x indicates incompatibility).

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compatibility Matrix                                                           Requested                                                                      Held    1     2       3   4     5   6     7   8                                ______________________________________                                         1                                             X                                2                                         X   X                                3                         X     X   X     X   X                                4                     X             X     X   X                                5                     X         X   X     X   X                                6                     X   X     X   X     X   X                                7             X       X   X     X   X     X   X                                8       X     X       X   X     X   X     X   X                                ______________________________________                                    

Returning to Table 1, Lock Request, the SIDB Addr field specifies the location in memory of the system identifier block and is used to access the work header block (WHB) chain in IRLM 61, as will be described more fully hereafter. The Option field specifies whether the lock request is conditional or unconditional. If the "conditional" option is specified and the IRLM determines that the resource was previously locked in an incompatible state (as determined by Table 3), the work unit will be notified that the lock cannot be granted. However, if the "unconditional" option is specified, the lock requested will be waited, and the work unit only notified when the prior lock is released and the waited request granted.

In processing the lock request, IRLM 61 may communicate with IRLM 62 along the control/data path 25, 21, 22, 23, 27, 24, 26. The conditions under which such communication is necessary or avoided will be more fully described hereafter, as will be the structure and steps for granting the locks.

Once the lock is granted by IRLM 61 to IMS 31, it accesses the desired data in DASD 13 over line 81, and reads the data into its buffer pool 41. At an appropriate commit prior in the processing of the data by the application work unit, the data is written back out to DASD 13 and IRLM 61 notified to release the locks.

In a similar manner, IMS's 31-34 cooperate with IRLM's 61, 62 to access data on DASD's 13, 14 and operate on the data stored in buffer pools 41-44.

Each IMS 31-34 maintains a log of all transactions on log tapes 71-74, respectively, for recovery in the event of a failure. Data base recovery control facilities 51, 52 share access to control data set 57, and cooperate with IMS's 31-34 to control the recovery of a data base in the event of a system or other failure, as will be more fully described.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a description of IRLM 61 will be given, defining the primary data objects used in operating the computing system according to the method of the invention.

Resource Lock Request Parameter List (RLPL) 110 is used by IMS 31, 33 to submit a request to IRLM 61. It includes, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, a 32-bit resource hash value 210, a 32-byte resource name, a 4-byte SIDB address 211, an 8-byte work unit ID, a 1-byte requested lock state, and an option indicator (conditional or unconditional).

Master Control Block (MCB) 112 provides address pointers 201-205, 261 to the following structures and chains: RHT 114, GHT 116, RGHT 118, ISL 120, SIDB 122 (the first in the SIDB 122, 124 chain 212), and RLB 161 (the first in the chain 262-263 of wait RLB's 161, 165, 167 corresponding to requests from the other IRLM 62).

Resource Hash Table (RHT) 114 contains herein 512 entries. Each entry is 8 bytes long and includes a 32-bit mask (4 bytes) and a 4-byte pointer (such as 220, 222) to the first RHB (140 and 144, respectively) in the corresponding RHT hash class (also referred to as a hash group or a congruence class). Each bit in the RHT bit mask corresponds to one of the 16,384 entries in the GHT, infra, and, when set, serves as the private use indicator discussed more fully hereafter.

Global Hash Table (GHT) 116 contains herein 16,384 entries, each entry being one byte long, with each bit thereof assigned to correspond to one IRLM Identifier (IRLMID). In the best mode description of the invention provided herein, only two bits are utilized, however, corresponding to IRLMID=1 for IRLM 61, and IRLMID=2 for IRLM 62. A bit on in a GHT 116 entry means that the IRLM 61, 62 with the corresponding IRLMID is holding and/or waiting for a lock on at least one resource that hashes into that GHT 116 entry.

Retained Locks Global Hash Table (RGHT) 118 contains herein 16,384 entries. As with GHT 116, each entry in RGHT 118 is one byte long, with two bits (0 and 1) utilized in this embodiment and bit 0 corresponding to IRLMID=1 for IRLM 61, and bit 1 corresponding to IRLMID=2 for IRLM 62. A bit on in a RGHT 118 entry means that the IRLM 61, 62 with the corresponding IRLMID was holding and/or waiting for a lock on at least one resource that hashed into the GHT entry corresponding to this RGHT entry at the time that IRLM failed (abnormally terminated). No new lock requests may be granted against locks that hash into a RGHT entry that has any bit on.

Identified Subsystem List (ISL) 120 provides a list of entries defined by the IDENT procedure. Each IRLM 61, 62 contains a copy of ISL 120, which shows all IMS's 31-34 associated with both IRLM's. An entry contains:

(1) an 8-byte IMS 31-34 name

(2) the IRLMID of the IRLM 61, 62 to which the IMS 31-34 is or was last connected.

(3) a one byte "retained by QUIT RETAIN" mask, with each bit assigned to an IRLM in the same manner as in GHT entry, and a bit on in this mask meaning the corresponding IRLM 61, 62 has locks retained for this IMS 31-34 due to an explicit QUIT RETAIN request.

(4) a one byte "retained due to IRLM or communications failure" mask (ISLFMSK), with each bit assigned to an IRLM as in a GHT entry, and a bit on in this mask meaning the corresponding IRLM was holding locks for this IMS and then an IRLM, system or communications failure occurred.

(5) a four-byte pointer 223 to a dummy WHB 130 from which retained lock RLB's 156, 153 are chained 251, 252. This exists only for the QUIT RETAIN case and then only in the ISL 120 of the IRLM 61, 62 to which the IMS 34-34 was connected when the QUIT request was issued, as will be more fully described hereafter.

An IMS Subsystem Identify Block (SIDB) 122, 124 is built by IRLM 61 or 62 when an IMS subsystem 31-34 is identified to the IRLM. The WHB's for this IMS's work units are chained from this block. Herein, by way of example, SIDB 122 is chained 213 to WHB 132 and SIDB 124 is chained 214, 215 to WHB's 134, 136.

Each Work Unit Block (WHB) 132, 134, 136 represents an IMS work unit that holds and/or waits for locks, and contains a chain of all hold and wait RLB's associated with the WHB. By way of example, wait RLB's 166, 163, 160 and hold RLB's 151, 154 are chained 231, 232, 233, 234, 235 to WHB 136; and hold RLB's 155, 152, 150 are chained 214, 242, 243 to WHB 132, respectively.

Resource Header Blocks 140, 142, 144 are created for each unique resource name for which a lock is requested and/or held, with all RHB's that hash into one of the plurality of hash groups corresponding to one RHT entry forming an RHB chain. Each RHB contains:

(1) the resource hash value (32 bits)

(2) the resource name (32 bits)

(3) an IRLM interest mask, which is used in the same manner as a GHT entry. A bit on in this mask means the corresponding IRLM is currently holding a lock on this resource.

(4) an RHB chain word, used to maintain a chain of RHB's that hash into the same RHT entry. By way of example, RHB 140 is chained 221 to RHB 142 and anchored 220 to an entry in RHT 114. RHB 144 is anchored 222 to a different entry in RHT 114.

(5) a wait RLB chain word, and a hold RLB chain word, chaining the RHB to chains of lock holder RLB's and lock waiter RLB's. By way of example, RHB 140 is chained 156 to lock holder RLB's 150-151 and chained 168 to lock waiter RLB's 160-161; RHB 142 is chained 157 to lock holder RLB's 152-154 and chained 169 to lock waiter RLB's 163, 165; and RHB 144 is chained 158 to lock holder RLB's 155, 156 and chained 170 to lock waiter RLB's 166, 167.

Each Resource Lock Block (RLB) represents a lock holder or a request waiting to acquire a lock. Each RLB includes, inter alia, the lock state.

The data structure configuration of FIG. 2 represents a typical configuration for one IRLM, say 61, and a similar structure will exist for the other IRLM 62. Some data objects are maintained in sync (that is, substantially identical), allowing for communication delays during normal processing--and these include the GHT, RGHT, and ISL.

The Resource Lock Manager IRLM 61, 62 provides lock services used by the IMS 31-34 Data Sharing Function. The lock services include the retention of locks across IMS sybsystem, communications link, and operating system failures. The retained locks inhibit access to data base 13, 14 information that may be inconsistent due to the failure.

The integrity of data base 13, 14 information within the IMS/VS Shared Data environment is the combined responsibility of the DL/I Data Management Function (a component of IMS 31-34), Data Base Recovery Control (DBRC) 51, 52 and the IRLM 61, 62.

DL/I (a component of IMS) performs the access to the data bases 13, 14 and maintains log data sets 71-74 that are used to recover/repair the data bases when various failures occur.

DBRC 51, 52 maintains data base data set usage information. This information shows which IMS/VS subsystems are currently using each data set. DL/I 31-34 invokes DBRC 51, 52 services when allocating and deallocating the data sets on DASD 13, 14. During data set allocation, DBRC 51, 52 returns to DL/I 31-34 a list containing the names of the IMS/VS 31-34 subsystems that are currently using the data set. DL/I 34-34 invokes an IRLM 61-62 service (VERIFY), Table 13, passing the IMS 31-34 name list. The IRLM returns to DL/I an indication of whether each IMS 31-34 in the list is or is not currently using the IRLM 61-62 Services. Using the IRLM 61, 62 services includes the case when the IMS was using the IRLM but failed, and the IRLM is retaining its locks. If any of the IMS subsystems 31-34 are not known by IRLM 61-62, then DL/I 31-34 will not allocate the data set. This is necessary because unless IRLM 61-62 is holding locks for each of the IMS subsystems 31-34, continued use of the data set will expose the integrity of the data.

As previously noted, each IRLM 61, 62 maintains in an IMS/VS Identified Subsystem List (ISL), a list of all IMS subsystems 31-34 currently connected to either of the two IRLM's in the two-system environment. ISL 120 is used to process a VERIFY (Table 13) request to determine if the IMS subsystem names in the input list are in ISL 120. Each IRLM 61, 62 holds the locks for the set of IMS 31-34 subsystems connected to it. Both IRLM's 61, 62 maintain a copy of the Global Hash Table (GHT) 116 and the Retained Locks Global Hash Table (RGHT) 118.

The ISL 120, GHT 116 and RGHT 118 provide the information that protects the locks across intersystem communications, subsystem, and/or system failures.

With respect to the retention of locks across outage of an IMS subsystem 31-34, the IRLM 61-62 retains all locks held by a failed IMS subsystem. This permits continued use of data bases that were shared with the failed subsystem. The locks inhibit access to the specific data items that are inconsistent due to the failure, but permit access to all other parts of the data bases. When either restart or recovery processing is performed for the failed IMS, DL/I requests IRLM 61, 62 to release the retained locks, thus permitting full access to the data bases.

Failure of one of the two operating systems 21, 22 or IRLM's 61, 62 causes the IRLM 62, 61 in the other system to retain (in RGHT 118) the GHT 116 information for the IRLM in the failed system. The GHT 116 shows all hash classes in which the failed IRLM 62, 61 held resource locks. The remaining IRLM 61, 62 will not grant new lock requests for resources in these hash classes until the failed IRLM's interest bits have been removed from the corresponding GHT 116 (RGHT 118) entries. These bits will be cleared when restart or recovery has been performed for all of the IMS subsystems that were associated with the failed IRLM. ISL 120 shows this list of subsystems. The restart/recovery may be performed on the system that continues to operate after the failure or on the original system after it has been restarted.

GHT 116 permits continued processing during an outage of intersystem communications capability. A GHT 116 entry value of 10 means that IRLM 61 holds locks on resources that map into the entry and IRLM 62 does not hold locks on any such resources. A value of 01 means IRLM 62 holds locks and IRLM 61 does not hold locks on resources that map into the entry. During the communications outage, IRLM 61 grants locks for any resources that map into GHT entries of value 10, and IRLM 62 grants locks for resources that map into entries of value 0.1. Neither IRLM grants any new locks for resources that map into GHT entries that contain other values.

When communications are re-established, both IRLM's exchange information to form a composite GHT and ISL, and then both IRLM's resume normal lock function, using the new GHT.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the operation of a computing system, including two central electronic complexes 11, 12, according to the method of the invention, will be described.

Operation of the computing system to retain locks across system (IMS 31-34), communication (controller 27 and link 21-24) and IRLM 61, 62 failures is based primarily upon the structure including DBRC 51, 52, with its control data set 57 and the ISL 120/GHT 116/RGHT 118 structures of IRLM's 61, 62.

Data Base Recovery Control (DBRC) modules 51, 52 coordinates IMS systems IMS 31-34 to merge logs 71-74 after a failure to reconstitute data bases stored in DASD 13, 14. DBRC 51, 52 also operate to inform IMS's 31-34 which IMS's are accessing data. To do so, DBRC 51, 52 maintain status of use of the data bases by each IMS, keeping a record of which IMS systems have access to each data base and its state (update, read only).

An example of a DBRC 51, 52 module is the IMS/VS Data Base Recovery Control Feature described in IBM Publication SH35-0027-1, Program Number 5740-XX2, Second Edition (March 1979), as subsequently modified to operate according to the method described hereafter--which modifications, however, do not form a part of the present invention. Rather, this lock retention invention relates to those method steps executed under control if IRLM 61, 62 and their interconnecting components. However, to fully appreciate the invention, it is necessary to consider the invironment in which IRLM 61, 62 operates, including those functions performed by DBRC 51, 52 and IMS 31-34.

As an application program or work unit accesses a data base record on DASD 13, 14 for update, it is placed in one of buffer pools 41-44. After the record has been changed or added, it is written back out to DASD 13, 14, and copies in other buffer pools 41-44 corrected to make the change, and a record of the change recorded on one of log devices 71-74, together with a sequence number. If, thereafter, a data base fails, it may be repaired from information in logs 71-74. The problem is merging changes to the data base (13, 14) from different logs 71-74 in the correct sequence. DBRC 51, 52 and IRLM 61, 62 are used according to the following protocol to control that repair.

Assume that an application under IMS 31 requires access to a data resource on DASD 13. Data sharing/locking coordination is as follows:

(1) IMS 31 goes to DBRC 51 to ascertain if the data base containing the required record is available in a compatible state.

(2) If compatible, DBRC 51 advises IMS 31, and

(3) DBRC 51 advises IMS 31 which other subsystems (i.e., IMS 34) are using the data base.

(4) IMS 31 goes to IRLM 61 and asks if IMS 34 is known to IRLM 61. (If not, IMS 31 cannot rely on IRLM 61 to ensure that the data base is protected. This could happen if CEC 12 had failed and IRLM 61 had not received communication from IRLM 62 regarding the activity of IMS 34.) IRLM 61 return codes to IMS 31 are:

.0. IMS 34 is active on IRLM 61 or IRLM 62.

4 IMS 34 has terminated, but its locks are retained in IRLM 61 and/or IRLM 62.

8 IMS 34 is unknown to IRLM 61.

(5) If IMS 31 receives a return code of 8, it is not permitted to access the data base.

(6) If IMS 31 receives a return code of 4, IMS 31 can access the data base, but not updated data (i.e., data resources or data records) within the data base previously locked by IMS 34. If a collision occurs with a lock held by IMS 34, IMS 31 receives a "lock request denied due to lock retained for a failed IMS" status on such request.

(7) If IMS 31 receives a return code of .0., IMS 31 is permitted to access the data base. If a collision occurs with a lock held by IMS 34, IMS 31 will wait for the lock to be released by IMS 34. (Any changes in the locks by one IMS are broadcast by IRLM 61, 62 to the other. This is the normal situation.)

The procedure to be followed during recovery from a failure will next be described. Assume that CEC 11 fails, causing operating system 21, IMS's 31, 33, DBRC 51, and IRLM 61 all to fail. Thereafter, the computer operator restarts operating system 21, IMS 31, DBRC 51, and IRLM 61. IRLM 61 re-establishes communications with IRLM 62. The GHT 116, RGHT 118, and ISL 120 for IRLM 61 will be re-established from IRLM 62. If IMS 31 desires to access data base 13, it will go to DBRC 51 for authorization. DBRC 51, from information logged on control data set 57, informs IMS 31 that IMS 33 has access to data base 13. IMS 31 then goes to IRLM 61, which returns with return code 4--indicating that IMS 33 has failed but its locks are retained. Consequently, IMS 31 restores data base 13 from data on its log 71 and continues to use data base 13. Subsequently, when IMS 33 restarts and desires to access data base 13, it goes first to DBRC 51. DBRC returns with an indication that IMS 31 is using data base 13, and that IMS 33 has backout responsibility. Consequently, IMS 33 will, from log 73 data, restore data base 13--advising DBRC 51 when it is completed. IMS 33 and 31 can now access data base 13.

In this environment, an application is considered to have backout responsibility if it has written back to DASD an updated record but has not yet released the locks, and a failure occurs which prevents completion of the work unit. A work unit may, typically, access many records--all of which must be updated to be consistent before the locks are released. Thus, herein a commit point is defined as that point in processing an application when all changed records have been written out to DASD and the locks released.

For example, assume a work unit on IMS 31 includes accesses to data base 13 records DBS 1, DBS 2, DBS 3, and then commit, in that order. Assume that IMS 33 fails after updated DBS 2 has been written to DASD 13. If IMS 31 already holds the lock on DBS 3, it can access DBS 3 and proceed to commit. If it doesn't, then IMS 31 must back out its updates to DBS 1 and DBS 2. On the other hand, if IMS 33 fails after DBS 3 has been accessed, then IMS 31 can proceed to commit.

The procedures executed by the IRLM in practicing the method of the invention will next be described in connection with the pseudocode representation of Tables 4 through 16. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the pseudocode representation, together with the accompanying description, enables those skilled in the art to generate, without undue experimentation, the necessary machine-executable instructions to operate a general purpose computing system according to the method of the invention. On the other hand, to describe the invention with source and/or object code of a working implementation would tend to obscure the inventive subject matter in extraneous detail, resulting in a lack of clarity and conciseness required for an understanding of the invention.

In the pseudocode tables, "τ=" signifies "not equal", and comments are bracketed between "/=" and "=/". References to IMS/VS are to one of IMS 31-34.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     LOCK                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________     LOCK: PROCEDURE.                     1600                                      Build an RLB for the new lock request.                                                                              1610                                                                           1620                                      Using RLPL hash and resource name values search                                                                     1630                                      the RHT--RHB structure to determine if an RHB for                                                                   1640                                      the requested resource exists.       1650                                                                           1660                                      /=                                =/ 1670                                      /=                                =/ 1680                                      /= To grant a global lock request the following changes                                                          =/ 1690                                      /= are made to the IRLM control block structure.                                                                 =/ 1700                                      /= 1. The interest bit of the IRLM granting the lock is                                                          =/ 1720                                      /=    turned on (if not already on) in the GHT entry                                                             =/ 1730                                      /=    corresponding to the requested hash value.                                                                 =/ 1740                                      /= 2. If this IRLM has private use of the GHT entry                                                              =/ 1760                                      /=    the corresponding RHT-mask private use bit is                                                              =/ 1770                                      /=    turned on.                  =/ 1780                                      /=                                =/ 1790                                      /= 3. An RHB is built (if it doesn't already exist)                                                              =/ 1800                                      /=    containing the requested hash and resource name.                                                           =/ 1810                                      /=    The RHB interest mask shows which IRLMs are                                                                =/ 1820                                      /=    holding locks on the resource.                                                                             =/ 1830                                      /=                                =/ 1840                                      /= 4. An WHB is built (if it doesn't already exist)                                                              =/ 1850                                      /=    containing the lock holder's work unit identifier.                                                         =/ 1860                                      /=    The WHB is connected to the requesting IMS/VS's                                                            =/ 1870                                      /=    SIDB.                       =/ 1880                                      /=                                =/ 1890                                      /= 5. An RLB is built to represent the held lock.                                                                =/ 1900                                      /=    The RLB contains the held state of the lock.                                                               =/ 1910                                      /=    The RLB is connected to the RHB and WHB.                                                                   =/ 1920                                      /=                                =/ 1930                                      /=                                =/ 1940                                                                           1950                                      Determine if a WHB exists for the work unit ID                                                                      1960                                      specified in the RLPL.               1970                                      If WHB does not exist then           1980                                      DO.                                  1990                                      Build a WHB for the work unit.       2000                                      Add the WHB to the SIDB--WHB structure.                                                                             2010                                      END.                                 2020                                      Else.                                2030                                      Add the RLB built for this lock request to the                                                                      2050                                      WHB--RLB chain.                      2060                                      If RHB does not exist then           2080                                      DO.                                  2090                                      Build an RHB.                        2100                                      Add the RHB to the RHT--RHB structure.                                                                              2110                                      END.                                 2120                                      Else                                 2130                                      DO. /= RHB already exists  =/        2140                                      Determine if the lock state specified in the                                                                        2150                                      RLPL is compatible with the state held by each                                                                      2160                                      RLB on the RHB-hold chain.           2170                                      If not compatible with a retained lock RLB then                                                                     2180                                      DO.                                  2190                                       /=                        =/        2200                                      /=    LOCK request must be denied because it is                                                           =/        2210                                      /=    incompatible with a lock retained due to                                                            =/        2220                                      /=    failure of an IMS/VS.                                                                               =/        2230                                      /=                         =/        2240                                      Set LOCK request rejected due to a retained lock                                                                    2250                                      status in RLPL.                      2260                                      CALL UNLOCK /= Release the RLB. =/   2270                                      Return to caller.                    2280                                      END.                                 2290                                      Else.                                2300                                      If not compatible with current holders then                                                                         2310                                      DO.  /=  new request must wait =/    2320                                      Place the new RLB on the RHB wait chain.                                                                            2330                                      Exit to the suspend exit of the IMS/VS that                                                                         2340                                      submitted the request. /= The request must wait                                                                     2350                                      until the incompatible current holders UNLOCK                                                                       2360                                      the resource. =/                     2370                                      END.                                 2380                                      Else.                                2390                                      END.  /= end of RHB already exists clause =/                                                                        2400                                      If RHT entry mask shows private use of GHT entry                                                                    2410                                      or RHB already existed and shows no interest by                                                                     2420                                      the other IRLM then                  2430                                      DO.                                  2440                                      CALL GRANT.  /= grant the lock request =/                                                                           2450                                      END.                                 2460                                      Else                                 2470                                      DO. /= Must check GHT and RGHT =/    2480                                      CALL PTB.                            2490                                      If PTB returned status = ok to grant then                                                                           2500                                      CALL GRANT.                          2510                                      Else                                 2520                                      If PTB returned status = wait then   2530                                      Invoke IMS/VS suspend exit to suspend request.                                                                      2540                                      Else                                 2550                                      DO.°/= Must reject the request =/                                                                            2560                                      Set `lock can not be granted because the hash                                                                       2570                                      class specified by the request is unavailable                                                                       2580                                      due to either an IRLM, System, or Communications                                                                    2590                                      failure.                             2600                                      END.                                 2610                                      END.  /= end must check GHT, RGHT case =/                                                                           2620                                      Return to caller.                    2630                                                                           2640                                      END LOCK PROCEDURE.                  2650                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PTB                                                                            __________________________________________________________________________                                         2670                                       PTB: PROCEDURE.                     2680                                                                           2690                                       /=                               =/ 2700                                       /=                               =/ 2710                                       /= This procedure determines whether or not the lock request                                                    =/ 2720                                       /= may be granted immediately, must wait for communications                                                     =/ 2730                                       /= with the other IRLM, or must be rejected due to an outage                                                    =/ 2740                                       /= situation created by an IRLM or communications failure.                                                      =/ 2750                                       /=                               =/ 2760                                       /= This procedure handles the following IRLM sharing modes:                                                     =/ 2770                                       /= 1.                                                                               Normal sharing mode = Both IRLMs are executing and                                                         =/ 2780                                       /=   have communications with one another.                                                                      =/ 2790                                       /= 2.                                                                               IRLM failed mode = The other IRLM is not currently                                                         =/ 2800                                       /=   executing. This IRLM is implicitly retaining locks                                                         =/ 2810                                       /=   for the other IRLM. This IRLM cannot grant locks                                                           =/ 2820                                       /=   for new RHBs that hash into GHT entries that contain                                                       = /                                                                               2830                                       /=   the other IRLM's interest bit.                                                                             =/ 2840                                       /= 3.                                                                               Communications failed mode = Both IRLMs are executing                                                      =/ 2850                                       /=   but do not have communications with one another.                                                           =/ 2860                                       /=   An IRLM can only grant locks against GHT entries                                                           =/ 2870                                       /=   that it had in private use at the time of the                                                              =/ 2880                                       /=   communications failure.     =/ 2890                                       /=                               =/ 2900                                       /= NOTE - See comments below regarding the RGHT.                                                                 =/                                                                               2910                                       /=                               =/ 2920                                       /=                               =/ 2930                                                                           2940                                       If RGHT entry for requested hash value = then                                                                      2950                                       DO.                                 2960                                       /=                             =/   2970                                       /=   The RGHT entry non-zero means one of the IRLMs                                                           =/   2980                                       /=   failed earlier. That failure lost RHBs. The failed                                                       =/   2990                                       /=   IRLM restarted, but the IMS/VSs for which it was                                                         =/   3000                                       /=   holding locks at the time of the failure have not                                                        = /  3010                                       /=   all restarted and purged their locks. Since the                                                          =/   3020                                       /=   RHBs are no longer present, no lock can be granted                                                       =/   3030                                       /=   for resources that hash into the RGHT entry.                                                             =/   3040                                       /=   Once the IMS/VSs have restarted and issued PURGE                                                         =/   3050                                       /=   requests to the IRLM or recovery programs run on                                                         =/   3060                                       /=   their behalf issue PURGE, the RGHT will be reset                                                         =/   3070                                       /=   and normal operations will resume.                                                                       =/   3080                                       /=                             =/   3090                                       Set must reject request status.     3100                                       Return to caller.                   3110                                       END.                                3120                                       Else.                               3130                                       If IRLM is in normal sharing mode then                                                                             3140                                       DO.  /= Normal sharing rules =/     3150                                       If this IRLM's bit is not on in GHT entry then                                                                     3160                                       DO.                                 3170                                       Set this IRLM's bit in the GHT entry.                                                                              3180                                       Submit an update GHT request to the other                                                                          3190                                       IRLM requesting it to set           3200                                       this IRLM's interest bit in its GHT entry.                                                                         3210                                       END.                                3220                                       Else.                               3230                                       If the interest bit of the other IRLM is off                                                                       3240                                       in the requested hask value GHT entry then                                                                         3250                                       DO.  /= private use of this GHT entry =/                                                                           3260                                       Set RHT mask private bit corresponding to this                                                                     3270                                       GHT entry on.                       3280                                       Set ok to grant status.             3290                                       END.                                3300                                       else                                3310                                       DO.                                 3320                                       Build an inquiry request containing the lock                                                                       3330                                       request information.                3340                                       Submit the inquiry request to the other IRLM.                                                                      3350                                       Set request must wait status.       3360                                       END.                                3370                                       END. /= End normal sharing mode case =/                                                                            3380                                       Else                                3390                                       If IRLM failed sharing mode then    3400                                       DO. /= IRLM failed sharing rules =/ 3410                                       If the other IRLM's interest bit is off in GHT entry then                                                          3420                                       DO.                                 3430                                       Turn on this IRLM's bit in the GHT entry.                                                                          3440                                       Set private use bit in corresponding RHT mask.                                                                     3450                                       Set ok to grant status.             3460                                       END.                                3470                                       Else                                3480                                       Set must reject request status.     3490                                       END.  /= End IRLM failed sharing rules =/                                                                          3500                                       Else                                3510                                       DO.  /= Communications failed sharing rules =/                                                                     3520                                       If this IRLM's bit on               3530                                       and other IRLM's bit off in GHT entry then                                                                         3540                                       DO.                                 3550                                       Set private use bit in corresponding RHT mask.                                                                     3560                                       Set ok to grant status.             3570                                       END.                                3580                                       Else                                3590                                       Set must reject request status      3600                                       END.  /= End of COMM failed sharing rules case =/                                                                  3610                                                                           3620                                       Return to caller.                   3630                                                                           3640                                       END PTB PROCEDURE.                  3650                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     INQUIRY                                                                        __________________________________________________________________________                                          3670                                      INQUIRY: PROCEDURE.                  3680                                                                           3690                                      /=                               =/  3700                                      /=                               =/  3710                                      /=  This procedure handles global lock inquiry requests                                                         =/  3720                                      /=  submitted from the other IRLM. If the inquiry request                                                       =/  3730                                      /=  compatible with locks held by this IRLM, a response                                                         =/  3740                                      /=  message is sent back to the requesting IRLM. The message                                                    =/  3750                                      /=  informs that IRLM that it may now grant the lock. It                                                        =/so                                                                               3760                                      /=  informs that IRLM whether or not this IRLM is currently                                                     =/  3770                                      /=  holding a lock on the resource.                                                                             =/  3780                                      /=  If the inquiry is not compatible, an RLB is built for                                                       =/  3790                                      /=  the inquiry and placed on the RHB wait chain. When                                                          =/  3800                                      /=  the held locks that caused the incompatibility are                                                          =/  3810                                      /=  released, the response message described above is sent                                                      =/  3820                                      /=  back to the inquiring IRLM informing it the lock may                                                        = / 3830                                      /=  be granted.                  =/  3840                                      /=                               =/  3850                                      /=                               =/  3860                                                                           3870                                          Search the RHT--RHB structure to determine if an RHB                                                            3880                                          for the resource specified in the inquiry exists.                                                               3890                                          If RHB does not exist then       3900                                          DO.                              3910                                          Build a response message showing it is ok to                                                                    3920                                          grant the requested lock and this IRLM has no                                                                   3930                                          interest in the resource.        3940                                          Send the message to the inquiring IRLM.                                                                         3950                                          END.                             3960                                          else                             3970                                          DO.                              3980                                          If RHB--RLB wait chain is not empty then                                                                        3990                                          DO.  /= Inquiry must wait =/     4000                                          Build an RLB for the inquiry and place                                                                          4010                                          it on the RHB--RLB wait chain.   4020                                          END.                             4030                                          else                             4040                                          DO.                              4050                                          Determine if the lock state requested in the                                                                    4060                                          inquiry is compatible with the held lock state                                                                  4070                                          of each RLB on the RHB hold chain.                                                                              4080                                          If the inquiry is compatible then                                                                               4090                                          DO.                              4100                                          Set the inquiring IRLM's interest bit in                                                                        4110                                          RHB IRLM interest mask.          4120                                          Build a response message showing it is ok to                                                                    4130                                          grant the requested lock and this IRLM has                                                                      4140                                          interest in the resource.        4150                                          Send the message to the inquiring IRLM.                                                                         4160                                          END.                             4170                                          Else                             4180                                          DO.                              4190                                          If request incompatible with a retained RLB then                                                                4200                                          DO.                              4210                                       /=                              =/  4220                                      /=     The requested state is incompatible with                                                                 =/  4230                                      /=     the state of a retained lock on the same                                                                 =/  4240                                      /=     resource. The lock is retained due to                                                                    =/  4250                                      /=     failure of an IMS/VS. Hence, the INQUIRY                                                                 =/  4260                                      /=     cannot wait for an UNLOCK. The LOCK                                                                      =/  4270                                      /=     request that generated the INQUIRY will                                                                  =/  4280                                      /=     be denied with `reject` status.                                                                          =/  4290                                      /=                               =/  4300                                             Build a response message indicating request                                                                  4310                                             denied due to `reject` mode lock                                                                             4320                                             Send the message to the IRLM that submitted                                                                  4330                                             the INQUIRY.                  4340                                             End.                          4350                                             Else                          4360                                             DO. /= Request must wait for UNLOCK(s) =/                                                                    4370                                             Build an RLB for the inquiry request.                                                                        4380                                             Place the RLB on the RHB--RLB wait chain.                                                                    4390                                             END.                          4400                                      END.                                 4410                                      END.                                 4420                                      END.                                 4430                                      Return to caller.                    4440                                                                           4450                                      END INQUIRY PROCEDURE.               4460                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     INQRESP                                                                        __________________________________________________________________________     INQRESP: PROCEDURE.                 4480                                        /=                             =/  4490                                       /=                              =/  4500                                       /=  This procedure processes the message that is received                                                      =/  4510                                       /=  response to a global lock INQUIRY request.                                                                 =/  4520                                       /=                              =/  4530                                       /=                              =/  4540                                                                           4550                                       If message indicated reject then    4560                                       DO.                                 4570                                       Set reject status in RLPL.          4580                                       CALL UNLOCK. /= Release the RLB =/  4590                                       END.                                4600                                       Else                                4610                                       DO.                                 4620                                       If message indicates interest by other IRLM then                                                                   4630                                       Turn on other IRLM's bit in RHB interest mask.                                                                     4640                                       Else.                               4650                                       CALL GRANT                          4660                                       END.                                4670                                       Return to caller.                   4680                                       END INQRESP PROCEDURE.              4690                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________     UNLOCK                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________     UNLOCK: PROCEDURE.                   4710                                      /=                               =/  4720                                      /=                               =/  4730                                      /=  This procedure processes UNLOCK requests submitted                                                          =/  4740                                      /=  by IMS/VS.                   =/  4750                                      /=  The UNLOCK request RLPL contains either a lock token                                                        =/  4760                                      /=  (RLB address returned on LOCK) or the hash value,                                                           =/  4770                                      /=  resource name, and work unit id of the lock to be                                                           =/  4780                                      /=  released.                    =/  4790                                      /=                               =/  4800                                      /=                               =/  4810                                          Locate the RLB of the lock to be released.                                                                      4820                                          Remove the RLB from the RHB and WHB chains.                                                                     4830                                          Release the RLB.                 4840                                          If the WHB RLB chain is empty then                                                                              4850                                          Release the WHB.                 4860                                          Else.                            4870                                      /=                               =/  4880                                      /=  Attempt to grant locks to waiting requests now that                                                         =/e 4890                                      /=  UNLOCK RLB has been removed from the RHB hold chain.                                                        =/  4900                                      /=                               =/  4910                                      REDRIVE:                             4920                                      DO WHILE RHB wait chain not empty.   4930                                      Determine if wait RLB does not belong to an IMS/VS that                                                             4940                                      has issued QUIT and is compatible with each                                                                         4945                                      RLB on the RHB hold chain.           4950                                      If RLB does not belong to a QUITing IMS/VS and is compatible                                                        4960                                      CALL GRANT.                          4970                                      Else                                 4980                                      Leave REDRIVE loop.                  4990                                      END.                                 5000                                      If the RHB hold and wait RLB chains are empty then                                                                  5010                                      DO.                                  5020                                      Remove the RHB from the RHT chain.   5030                                      Released the RHB.                    5040                                      If no other RHB containing the 32-bit hash value of the                                                             5050                                      release RHB exists then              5060                                      DO.                                  5070                                      Turn off the RHT mask private use bit in the                                                                        5080                                      entry corresponding to the hash value.                                                                              5090                                      Turn off this IRLM's interest bit in the GHT                                                                        5100                                      entry corresponding to the hash value.                                                                              5110                                      Build an update GHT message and submit it to                                                                        5120                                      the other IRLM's requesting them to reset this                                                                      5130                                      IRLM's interest bit in the corresponding entry                                                                      5140                                      in their GHTs.                       5150                                      END.                                 5160                                      Else.                                5170                                      END.                                 5180                                      Else.                                5190                                      Return to caller.                    5200                                      END UNLOCK PROCEDURE.                5210                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     GRANT                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________     GRANT: PROCEDURE.  /= Grant a LOCK request  =/                                                                      5230                                                                           5240                                      /=                               =/  5250                                      /=                               =/  5260                                      /=  This procedure grants a lock request. If the request                                                        =/  5270                                      /=  on the RHB wait chain and is not an inquiry from the                                                        =/her                                                                              5280                                      /=  IRLM, it is moved to the RHB hold chain.                                                                    =/  5290                                      /=  If the request is an inquiry request, the RLB is                                                            =/  5300                                      /=  removed from the wait chain and released and a message                                                      =/  5310                                      /=  is sent to the inquiring IRLM informing it to grant                                                         =/e 5320                                      /=  lock.                        =/  5330                                      /=                               =/  5340                                      /=                               =/  5350                                                                           5360                                          If the RLB to be granted is on the RHB wait chain then                                                          5370                                          DO.                              5380                                          Remove the RLB from the wait chain.                                                                             5390                                          If the RLB is an inquiry from the other IRLM then                                                               5400                                          Do.                              5410                                          Build an inquiry response message.                                                                              5420                                          If RHB hold and wait chains are both empty then                                                                 5430                                          Set no interest by this IRLM in response message.                                                               5440                                          Else                             5450                                          Set interest by this IRLM in response message                                                                   5460                                          Send the message to the inquiring IRLM.                                                                         5470                                          Return to caller.                5480                                          END.                             5490                                          Else.                            5500                                          END.                             5510                                          Else.                            5520                                          Place the RLB on the RHB hold chain.                                                                            5530                                          Set lock granted status in RLPL. 5540                                          If request is suspended then     5550                                          invoke IMS/VS resume exit to resume request.                                                                    5560                                          else.                            5570                                          Return to caller.                5580                                                                           5590                                      END GRANT PROCEDURE.                 5600                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________     GHTUPD                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________                                         5620                                       GHTUPD: PROCEDURE.                  5630                                                                           5640                                        /=                              =/ 5650                                       /=                               =/ 5660                                       /= This procedure updates this IRLM's GHT based on the content                                                  =/ 5670                                       /= of messages received from other IRLMs.                                                                       =/ 5680                                       /=                               =/ 5690                                       /=                               =/ 5700                                                                           5710                                          Locate GHT entry specified in update GHT message.                                                               5720                                          If this is a reset bit request then                                                                             5730                                          DO.                              5740                                          Turn the specified IRLM's interest bit off in                                                                   5750                                          the GHT entry.                   5760                                          If an RHB containing a hash value that maps into                                                                5770                                          this GHT entry exists then       5780                                          turn on private use bit in corresponding RHT mask.                                                              5790                                          Else.                            5800                                          END.                             5810                                          Else                             5820                                          DO.                              5830                                          Turn the specified IRLM's interest bit on in                                                                    5840                                          the GHT entry.                   5850                                          Turn off the private use bit in the RHT mask                                                                    5860                                          corresponding to this GHT entry. 5870                                          END.                             5880                                                                           5890                                       END GHTUPD PROCEDURE.               5900                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 11                                     __________________________________________________________________________     IDENT                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________     INDENT: PROCEDURE.                   5920                                                                           5930                                      /=                                =/ 5940                                      /=                                =/ 5950                                      /= This procedure processes IMS/VS IDENT requests. THE IDENT                                                     =/ 5960                                      /= request connects the IMS/VS to the IRLM. An IMS/VS must                                                       =/ 5970                                      /= issue IDENT before it can issue any other IRLM request.                                                       =/ 5980                                      /= This procedure builds an SIDB (Subsystem Identify Block)                                                      =/ 5990                                      /= for the IMS/VS. The ISLs of both IRLMs are updated to                                                         =/ 6000                                      /= show the IMS/VS is connected to the specific IRLM to                                                          =/ 6010                                      /= which it issued the IDENT.     =/ 6020                                      /= At the time of the IDENT, an entry may already exist                                                          =/ 6030                                      /= the ISLs for the IMS/VS due to previous activity that                                                         =/ 6040                                      /= resulted in locks being explicitly (QUIT RETAIN) and/or                                                       =/ 6050                                      /= implicitly (IRLM/System/Communications failure) retained                                                      =/ 6060                                      /= for the IMS/VS.                =/ 6070                                      /=                                =/ 6080                                      /=                                =/ 6090                                                                           6100                                      Build an SIDB for the IMS/VS.        6110                                      Search the ISL to determine if an entry exists for this                                                             6120VS.                                   If entry exists then                 6130                                      Update entry to show the IMS/VS connected to this IRLM.                                                             6140                                      Else                                 6150                                      Make an entry to show the IMS/VS connected to this IRLM.                                                            6160                                      Send a message to the other IRLM requesting it to update                                                            6170                                      its ISL to show the IMS/VS connected to this IRLM.                                                                  6180                                      Return to caller.                    6190                                                                           6200                                      ENTRY IUPDISL:                       6210                                                                           6220                                       /=                               =/ 6230                                      /= This entry point in the IDENT procedure processes a                                                           =/ 6240                                      /= message received from the other IRLM that requests update                                                     =/ 6250                                      /= of the ISL due to an IDENT request.                                                                           =/ 6260                                      /=                                =/ 6270                                                                           6280                                      Search the ISL to determine if any entry exists for this                                                            6290VS.                                   If entry exists then                 6300                                      Update entry to show the IMS/VS connected to the other IRLM.                                                        6310                                      Else                                 6320                                      Make an entry to show the IMS/VS connected to the other                                                             6330.                                     Return to caller.                    6340                                                                           6350                                      END IDENT PROCEDURE.                 6360                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________     QUIT                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________     QUIT PROCEDURE.                      6380                                                                           6390                                      /=                               =/  6400                                      /=                               =/  6410                                      /=  This procedure processes a QUIT request. The request                                                        =/y 6420                                      /=  specify either RETAIN or RELEASE. RETAIN means retain                                                       =/  6430                                      /=  all locks currently held by the IMS/VS submitting the                                                       =/  6440                                      /=  request. RELEASE means release (UNLOCK) all locks held                                                      =/  6450                                      /=  or previously retained for this IMS/VS.                                                                     =/  6460                                      /=                               =/  6470                                      /=  Held locks are converted to retained locks by removing                                                      =/  6480                                      /=  the associated RLBs from their WHBs and chaining them                                                       =/  6490                                      /=  from a single `dummy` WHB that is pointed to by the                                                         =/  6500                                      /=  ISL entry of the IMS/VS that holds the locks.                                                               =/  6510                                      /=                               =/  6520                                      /=  Whether locks are retained or released all WHBs and                                                         =/e 6530                                      /=  SIDB associated with IMS/VS are released.                                                                   =/  6540                                      /=                               =/  6550                                      /=                               =/  6560                                                                           6570                                      If RETAIN specified then             6580                                      DO.                                  6590                                      Build a dummy WHB and connect it to the IMS/VS's                                                                    6600                                      ISL entry (if such a WHB does not already exist).                                                                   6610                                      DO While more WHBs exist for the IMS/VS.                                                                            6620                                      DO While more RLBs exist on the WHB chain.                                                                          6630                                      If RLB is a wait chain RLB then      6640                                      CALL UNLOCK.  /= Release RLB, redrive waiting requests                                                              6650                                      of other IMS/VSs (if any) =/         6655                                      Else                                 6660                                      Place the RLB on ISL--WHB chain.     6670                                      Move to next RLB on WHB--RLB chain.  6680                                      END.   /= End process WHB--RLB chain =/                                                                             6690                                      If WHB not already released by UNLOCK then                                                                          6700                                      Release WHB.                         6710                                      Else.                                6720                                      Move to next WHB for this IMS/VS.    6730                                      END.                                 6740                                      Update ISL to show locks retained for the IMS/VS.                                                                   6750                                      END.  /= End RETAIN case =/          6760                                      Else                                 6770                                      DO.  /= RELEASE case  =/             6780                                      DO While more WHBs exist for the IMS/VS.                                                                            6790                                      DO While more RLBs exist on the WHB chain.                                                                          6800                                      CALL UNLOCK.   /=  Release RLB, redrive waiting requests                                                            6810                                      of other IMS/VSs (if any) =/         6815                                      Move to next RLB on WHB--RLB chain.  6820                                      END.                                 6830                                      Move to next WHB for this IMS/VS.    6840                                      END.                                 6850                                      If locks retained dummy WHB exists then                                                                             6860                                      DO Until all dummy WHB--RLBs released.                                                                              6870                                      CALL UNLOCK.   /= Release RLB, redrive waiting requests                                                             6880                                      of other IMS/VSs (if any) =/         6885                                      END.                                 6890                                      Else.                                6900                                      Delete the ISL entry of the IMS/VS.  6910                                      If locks had been implicitly retained for the IMS/VS then                                                           6920                                      DO.                                  6930                                      Scan the ISL to determine if this was the last                                                                      6940                                      IMS/VS for which locks were implicitly retained                                                                     6950                                      by either or both IRLMs.             6960                                      If last for which locks retained by this IRLM then                                                                  6970                                      reset this IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                           6980                                      Else.                                6990                                      If last for which locks retained by other IRLM then                                                                 7000                                      DO.                                  7010                                      Reset other IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                          7020                                      If not currently communicating with other IRLM then                                                                 7030                                      Reset other IRLM's bit in each GHT entry.                                                                           7040                                      Else.                                7050                                      END.                                 7060                                      Else.                                7070                                      END.                                 7080                                      Else.                                7090                                      END.  /= End RETAIN case =/          7100                                                                           7110                                      Release the SIDB.                    7120                                      Submit a request to the other IRLM requesting update                                                                7130                                      of its structures to reflect the QUIT.                                                                              7140                                      Return to caller.                    7150                                                                           7160                                      ENTRY GQUIT.                         7170                                                                           7180                                       /=                              =/  7190                                      /=  This entry point processes. QUIT message request                                                            =/  7200                                      /=  submitted by the other IRLM. =/  7210                                      /=                               =/  7220                                                                           7230                                      If RETAIN specified then             7240                                      DO.                                  7250                                      Update ISL entry to show IMS/VS has issued QUIT                                                                     7260                                      and locks were retained by the other IRLM.                                                                          7270                                      END.                                 7280                                      Else                                 7290                                      DO.  /= RELEASE case  =/             7300                                      If locks retained dummy WHB exists then                                                                             7310                                      DO Until all dummy WHB--RLBs released.                                                                              7320                                      CALL UNLOCK.   /= Release RLB, redrive waiters =/                                                                   7330                                      END.                                 7340                                      Else.                                7350                                      Delete the ISL entry of the IMS/VS.  7360                                      If locks had been implicitly retained for the IMS/VS then                                                           7370                                      DO.                                  7380                                      Scan the ISL to determine if this was the last                                                                      7390                                      IMS/VS for which locks were implicitly retained                                                                     7400                                      by either or both IRLMs.             7410                                      If last for which locks retained by this IRLM then                                                                  7420                                      reset this IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                           7430                                      Else.                                7440                                      If last for which locks retained by other IRLM then                                                                 7450                                      reset other IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                          7460                                      Else.                                7470                                      END.                                 7480                                      Else.                                7490                                      END.  /= End RETAIN case =/          7500                                      Return to caller.                    7510                                                                           7520                                      END QUIT PROCEDURE.                  7530                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 13                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VERIFY                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________     VERIFY: PROCEDURE.                  7550                                                                           7560                                       /=                               =/ 7570                                       /=                               =/ 7580                                       /= This procedure processes an IRLM VERIFY request. VERIFY                                                      =/ 7590                                       /= is submitted by IMS/VS to ensure that the set of other                                                       =/ 7600                                       /= IMS/VSs with which it is sharing access to a particular                                                      =/ 7610                                       /= data base are known to the IRLM. `Known to the IRLM` means                                                   =/ 7620                                       /= an entry for the IMS/VS exists in the IRLM ISL. The                                                          =/ 7630                                       /= existence of the ISL entry ensures any locks held by                                                         =/ 7640                                       /= the IMS/VS are still held or retained.                                                                       =/ 7650                                       /=                               =/ 7660                                       /= Since all IMS/VS assocaited with either IRLM contain                                                         =/ 7670                                       /= ISL entries in both IRLM's ISLs, it is not necessary                                                         =/ 7680                                       /= to communicate with the other IRLM to process the VERIFY.                                                    =/ 7690                                       /=                               =/ 7700                                       /=                               =/ 7710                                                                           7720                                       DO Until End of input list.         7730                                       Iloop: DO Until End of ISL.         7740                                       If input list IMS/VS name matches ISL entry name then                                                              7750                                       DO.                                 7760                                       Set `IMS/VS name known by IRLM` status                                                                             7770                                       in input list entry.                7780                                       Leave Iloop.  /= Move to next input list entry. =/                                                                 7790                                       END.                                7800                                       Else                                7810                                       Move to next ISL entry.             7820                                       END.  /= End ISL scan loop =/       7830                                       Move to next input entry.           7840                                       END.                                7850                                       Return to caller.                   7860                                       END VERIFY PROCEDURE.               7870                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 14                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PURGE                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________     PURGE: PROCEDURE.                   7890                                                                           7900                                       /=                              =/  7910                                       /=                              =/  7920                                       /=  This procedure processes an IRLM PURGE request. PURGE                                                      =/  7930                                       /=  is issued by an IMS/VS or a recovery program executed                                                      =/  7940                                       /=  on its behalf. The PURGE is issued after correcting                                                        =/e 7950                                       /=  IMS/VS data bases that were left in inconsistent state                                                     =/  7960                                       /=  due to a failure.           =/  7970                                       /=                              =/  7980                                       /=  A PURGE request message is sent to the other IRLM.                                                         =/  7990                                       /=  The same logic is performed by the other IRLM.                                                             =/  8000                                       /=  Hence the following pseudocode is the logic for either                                                     =/  8010                                       /=  processing a PURGE request from an IMS/VS or a PURGE                                                       =/  8020                                       /=  request submitted from one IRLM to the other IRLM.                                                         =/  8030                                       /=                              =/  8040                                       /=                              =/  8050                                       If locks retained dummy WHB exists then                                                                            8060                                       DO Until all dummy WHB--RLBs released.                                                                             8070                                       CALL UNLOCK.  /= Release RLB, redrive waiters =/                                                                   8080                                       END.                                8090                                       Else.                               8100                                       Update the ISL entry of the IMS/VS that submitted the                                                              8110                                       PURGE to show that locks are no longer explicitly                                                                  8120                                       or implicitly held.                 8130                                       If locks had been implicitly retained for the IMS/VS then                                                          8140                                       DO.                                 8150                                       Scan the ISL to determine if this was the last                                                                     8160                                       IMS/VS for which locks were implicitly retained                                                                    8170                                       by either or both IRLMs.            8180                                       If last for which locks retained by this IRLM then                                                                 8190                                       reset this IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                          8200                                       Else.                               8210                                       If last for which locks retained by other IRLM then                                                                8220                                       DO.                                 8230                                       Reset other IRLM's bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                         8240                                       If not currently communicating with other IRLM then                                                                8250                                       Reset other IRLM's bit in each GHT entry.                                                                          8260                                       Else.                               8270                                       END.                                8280                                       Else.                               8290                                       END.                                8300                                       Else.                               8310                                       Return to caller.                   8320                                       END PURGE PROCEDURE.                8330                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 15                                     __________________________________________________________________________     FAIL                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________     FAIL: PROCEDURE.                    8350                                                                           8360                                        /=                             =/  8370                                       /=                              =/  8380                                       /=  This procedure processes the detection of a failure                                                        =/  8390                                       /=  This causes loss of communication with the other IRLM.                                                     =/  8400                                       /=                              =/  8410                                       /=                              =/  8420                                                                           8430                                       If IRLM or System failure then      8440                                       Set IRLM failed sharing mode.       8450                                       Else                                8460                                       Set Communications failed sharing mode.                                                                            8470                                       DO While more ISL entries.          8480                                       If ISL entry shows IMS/VS connected to other IRLM then                                                             8490                                       DO.                                 8500                                       Set other IRLM's bit in ISLFMSK.  /= Locks implicitly                                                              8510                                       retained due to failure =/          8520                                       END.                                8530                                       Else.                               8540                                       If ISL entry shows locks explicitly retained by                                                                    8550                                       by other IRLM then                  8560                                       DO.                                 8570                                       Set other IRLM's bit in ISLFMSK.  /= Locks implicitly                                                              8580                                       retained due to failure =/          8590                                       END.                                8600                                       Else.                               8610                                       Move to next ISL entry.             8620                                       END.                                8630                                       Return to caller.                   8640                                       END FAIL PROCEDURE.                 8650                                                                           8660                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 16                                     __________________________________________________________________________     RECONNECT                                                                      __________________________________________________________________________     RECONNECT: PROCEDURE.                8680                                                                           8690                                      /=                                =/ 8700                                      /=                                =/ 8710                                      /=  This procedure processes the reconnection of one IRLM                                                        =/ 8720                                      /=  with the other IRLM.          =/ 8730                                      /=                                =/ 8740                                      /=  Input to this procedure is:   =/ 8750                                      /=  1.                                                                               An indication of whether the other IRLM remembers                                                          =/ 8760                                      /=    a previous connection with this IRLM or not.                                                               =/ 8770                                      /=  2.                                                                               A copy of the other IRLM's GHT.                                                                            =/ 8780                                      /=  3.                                                                               A copy of the other IRLM's RGHT.                                                                           =/ 8790                                      /=  4.                                                                               A copy of the other IRLM's ISL.                                                                            =/ 8800                                      /=                                =/ 8810                                      /=                                =/ 8820                                                                           8830                                      If the other IRLM indicates it does not remember a                                                                  8840                                      previous connection with this IRLM then                                                                             8850                                      DO Until End of GHT.                 8860                                       /=                               =/ 8870                                      /=  Move any interest bits of the other IRLM from this                                                           =/ 8880                                      /=  IRLM's GHT into the RGHT. Reset the bits in the GHT.                                                         =/ 8890                                      /=  The GHT will reflect locks currently held (RHBs/RLBs                                                         =/ 8900                                      /=  exist) by the other IRLM. The RGHT will reflect                                                              =/ 8910                                      /=  locks implicitly retained due to the IRLM's failure                                                          =/ 8920                                      /=  (no RHBs/RLBs currently exist for these locks).                                                              =/ 8930                                      /=                                =/ 8940                                      If GHT entry contains other IRLM's interest bit then                                                                8950                                      DO.                                  8960                                      Set other IRLM's interest bit in corresponding                                                                      8970                                      RGHT entry.                          8980                                      Reset other IRLM's interest bit in GHT entry.                                                                       8990                                      END.                                 9000                                      Else.                                9010                                      Move to next GHT entry.              9020                                      END.                                 9030                                      Else.                                9040                                                                           9050                                      DO Until end of GHT copy received from other IRLM.                                                                  9060                                      If input GHT entry contains other IRLM's bit then                                                                   9070                                      Set other IRLM's bit on in this IRLM's GHT entry.                                                                   9080                                      Else                                 9090                                      Ensure other IRLM's bit is off in this IRLM's GHT entry.                                                            9100                                      Move to next entry of input GHT.     9110                                      END.                                 9120                                                                           9130                                      DO Until end of RGHT copy received from other IRLM.                                                                 9140                                      If input RGHT entry contains other IRLM's bit then                                                                  9150                                      Set other IRLM's bit on in this IRLM's RGHT entry.                                                                  9160                                      Else                                 9170                                      Ensure other IRLM's bit is off in this IRLM's RGHT entry.                                                           9180                                      Move to next entry of input RGHT.    9190                                      END.                                 9200                                                                           9210                                      Merge the other IRLM's ISL with this IRLM's ISL.                                                                    9220                                      If the merge reset the locks implicitly retained for                                                                9230                                      other IRLM bits in all ISL entries then                                                                             9240                                      DO.                                  9250                                      Reset the other IRLM's interest bit in each RGHT entry.                                                             9260                                      END.                                 9270                                      Else.                                9280                                                                           9290                                      If the merge reset the locks implicitly retained for                                                                9300                                      this IRLM bits in all ISL entries then                                                                              9310                                      DO.                                  9320                                      Reset this IRLM's interest bit in each RGHT entry.                                                                  9330                                      END.                                 9340                                      Else.                                9350                                                                           9360                                      If this IRLM has not already sent its status                                                                        9370                                      to the other IRLM then               9380                                      DO.                                  9390                                      Send a copy of this IRLM's GHT, RGHT, ISL, and                                                                      9400                                      an indication of whether this IRLM remembers a                                                                      9410                                      previous connection or not to the other IRLM.                                                                       9420                                      END.                                 9430                                      Else.                                9440                                      Return to caller.                    9450                                      END RECONNECT PROCEDURE.             9460                                      __________________________________________________________________________

With reference now to the figures and tables, the basic structure and operation of the invention will be described for various typical situations.

Multiple concurrent access to data resources shared by a plurality of work units executing on two central electronic complexes (CEC) is controlled with a minimum of communication and with optimum utilization of space required in each CEC for storage of lock data by providing in each CEC a resource lock manager (IRLM) that includes a global hash table (GHT) that contains an interest bit for each CEC's IRLM in each congruency class and chains of held and wait resource lock blocks (RLB's) associated with resource header blocks (RHB's) and work unit blocks (WHB's). The PHB's are chained and anchored to a Resource Header Table (RHT), which includes for each corresponding entry in the GHT an exclusive use bit. The WHB's are anchored to a subsystem identification block (SIDB). Wait RLB's not anchored to a WHB and which, therefore, relate to requests from the other IRLM, are chained together.

A request for a lock within the above structure will next be described. In this description, data structures shown in FIG. 2 pertaining to IRLM 62 will be indicated by a prime "'". Thus, the GHT of IRLM 61 is GHT 116, and that for IRLM 62 is GHT 116'.

Case I. A request is made, by way of example, for a lock on data resource N1 by IMS 31 on behalf of a work unit by submitting RLPL 110 to IRLM 61. Assuming for this case that the GHT 116, 116' entry =.0..0. for the corresponding hash class H1 in both IRLM's 61, 62. RLB 154a is created for the request and placed in the wait chain 169 for the data resource N1 (RHB 142). Procedure PTB, Table 5, will set the GHT 116 entry =1.0. in IRLM 61 for H1 and communicate (Table 5, line 3190) the updated GHT 116 entry via controller 27 to IRLM 62, which will execute procedure GHTUPD (Table 10) to set its GHT 116' entry=1.0. for H1. IRLM 61 will grant (Table 9) the lock to IMS 31 for N1, set the private use bit on in its RHT 114 for the hash class H1 of the requested data resource (Table 5, line 3260), and move RLB 154a for the request from wait chain 169 to hold chain 157 for RHB 142. In IRLM 62, no entry is made in RHT 114', nor is an RLB created.

Case II. Assuming that the condition created by Case I exists, and a request is made of IRLM 62 by IMS 32. In subcase IIA, the request is for the same data resource (N1) as in Case I. In subcase IIB, the request is for a different data resource N2 of the same hash class H1.

Subcase IIA: IRLM 62 will create an RLB 154a' and place it in the wait queue 169' for RHB 142' of resource N1. It will then change the GHT 116' entry for the hash class H1 from 10 to 11 and communicate to IRLM 61 a GHT update request (GHTUPD Table 10) and an inquiry request (PTB Table 5). IRLM 61 will update its GHT to reflect the interest of IRLM 62 (GHT 116=11). It will also process the inquiry (Table 6). INQUIRY determines, in this subcase IIA, that the request is for a data resource N1 for which a lock has been granted by IRLM 61. Consequently, it accesses hold RLB's 152-154 to determine if this request is compatible (compatible states) with the previously granted lock (or locks). Assuming that the states are compatible, the IRLM interest mask 193 in RHB 142 for the resource in IRLM 61 is set to show IRLM 62's interest and IRLM 62 notified that it can grant the lock. IRLM 62 sets the IRLM interest mask 193' in its RHB 142' for the resource to show IRLM 61's interest, the RLB 154a' is moved from the wait RLB claim 169' to the hold RLB chain 157', and the lock granted to IMS 32.

Assume that this condition prevails, and a request is now made of IRLM 61 for further use of the same data resource N1 with a state which is not compatible with the now prior existing lock on N1 held in IRLM 62. Because IRLM 62's interest bit is on in GHT 116 (GHT 116=11 for H1), IRLM 61 sends a lock request to IRLM 62, specifying the name (N1), hash class (H1), state, and option (assume unconditional). An RLB 163 is created and put in wait chain 169 for RHB 142. In IRLM 62, an RLB 165' is created and added to the wait chain 169 for RHB 142 and, because it is for an incompatible state with, say, the lock corresponding to RLB 154' in the hold chain 157' for RHB 142', RLB 165' is added to the wait RLB chain which is anchored to MCB 112' (rather than to a WHB). No response is communicated from IRLM 62 to IRLM 61 (the request was unconditional), and the lock request is suspended until, in normal processing, the holder of RLB 154' makes an UNLOCK request (Table 8). IRLM 62 will release RLB 154'. Assuming that either there are no other RLB's in hold chain 157' for RHB 142', or that RLB 165' is at the top of wait queue 169' for RHB 142' and of a state compatible with any RLB's still in hold queue 157' for RHB 142', then RLB 165' is released and communication made to IRLM 61 that it can grant the lock requested previously for data resource N1. If RLB 165' were the only wait RLB and there were no hold RLB's for RHB 142', then RHB 142' would also be released. Further, IRLM 62 would reset its interest bit for H1 in GHT 116' (GHT 116'=10 for H1), and instruct IRLM 61 to set GHT 116=10 for H1. Note that no hold RLB has been added to the hold chain for N1 in IRLM 62, but such does exist in IRLM 61 (i.e., RLB 165 is moved from wait chain, as shown, to hold chain, 157, for RHB 142). In this state, IRLM 61 has private use of data resource hash group H1, as GHT 116=GHT 116'=10 for hash group H1. The corresponding interest bit in RHT 114=1, and in RHT 114'=0.

Subcase IIB: In this example, with the above condition prevailing, a request is made of IRLM 62 by IMS 32 on behalf of work unit of WHB 136' for a lock on a different data resource (N2) which hashes (H1) to the same GHT 116' entry as for a previous request. Initially, GHT 116=GHT 116'=10 (IRLM 61 has an interest and IRLM 62 does not) for hash group H1 of data resources N1, N2. IRLM 62 sets GHT 116'=11 for H1, adds wait RLB 151a' to the wait chain 168' for RHB 140' (the RHB for data resource N2), and of WHB 136'--not as shown in FIG. 2 at this stage--, sends a request to IRLM 61 to update its GHT 116, and a request for a lock on data resource N2 of hash group H1.

IRLM 61 updates GHT 116 (GHT 116=11 for hash group H1), resets the corresponding mask bit in RHT 114 (as IRLM 61 no longer has private use of hash group H1), and searches the RHB chain anchored to the RHT 114 entry corresponding to hash group H1 for an RHB having N2 as its key. Assuming, in this example, that there is no RHB for data resource N2 in IRLM 61, then IRLM 61 responds to IRLM 62 that it is okay to grant the lock. IRLM 61 will not remember the resource locked.

IRLM 62 then moves RLB 151' from the wait chain 168' to hold chain 156' for RHB 140' and grants the lock. RLB 151' is now as shown in FIG. 2 in the chain anchored to WHB 136'.

This ends Case II for granting locks.

Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention

Now, with reference to the figures and pseudocode, the best mode for carrying out the invention for retention of locks across system, communications, and IRLM failures will be described.

Each IRLM 61, 62 maintains an ISL 120, 120' which will be in synchronization following completion of PTB processing during normal operation.

Assume now that an IMS 33 on CEC 11 terminates. The SIDB, and all WHB's anchored thereto, previously created for IMS 33 are released, as are any wait RLB's anchored to the released WHB's. This leaves the hold RLB's which must be remembered (to prevent other IMS's from obtaining locks to inconsistent data resources held by terminated IMS 33). Consequently, a dummy WHB 130 is created, anchored to the ISL 120 entry for IMS 33, and chained to the hold RLB's 156, 153 previously held by one or more work units executing under IMS 33. In each such RLB 153, 156, a LOCK RETAINED bit is set.

When a subsequent request received for a lock on a data resource for which a prior lock has been granted to a now terminated management system, the lock-held chain is checked for incompatible, retained locks. If such is found, the lock request is rejected; whereas, if an incompatible lock which is not a retained lock is located, the request is waited. Thus, in the example of the preceding paragraph, assume that IMS 34 requests of IRLM 62 a lock on data resource N3 of hash group H2. GHT 116' will show that IRLM 61 has an interest, so the lock request is sent to IRLM 61. IRLM 61 searches the RHB chain corresponding to hash group H2, and finds therein RHB 114. Assuming that the lock request is for a state which is incompatible with the state of RLB 156, and because the LOCK RETAINED bit is set in RLB 156, IRLM 61 responds with a lock rejected message--which will be communicated by IRLM 62 to IMS 34.

Industrial Applicability

The apparatus and method of the invention is applicable to the operation of general purpose computing systems including a plurality of central electronic complexes which access a shared data base under the control of a locking protocol. The invention provides for the retention of locks across system, subsystem, and communication link failures, thereby preserving the integrity of data and enabling recovery of the data base after restart of the failed component. 

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. A method for operating a general purpose computing system including at least two central electronic complexes interconnected by a communication link and sharing access to at least one data base having a plurality of data resources, the method inhibiting access to data resources that may be inconsistent due to failure in a complex or in the communication link, comprising the steps of:responsive to failure of a first complex, operating the second complex to inhibit access by the second complex on behalf of a transaction to data resources in which said first complex had an interest prior to the complex failure by terminating said transaction and backing out any changes to said data base made by said transaction; responsive to failure of the communication link, operating each complex to inhibit access thereby on behalf of a transaction to data resources of a congruence class in which it did not have private use prior to the link failure by terminating said transaction and backing out any changes to said data base made by said transaction; and responsive to failure of a first complex, retaining in the lock control structure of a second complex the congruence classes in which the first complex had an interest prior to the complex failure until completion of restart/recovery processing for all subsystems denoted in the lock control structure of the second complex as identified to the first complex.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which at least one of the central electronic complexes includes a plurality of information management subsystems sharing access to said data base, the method further inhibiting access to data resources that may be inconsistent due to failure in a subsystem, comprising the further step of:responsive to failure of a subsystem, operating each complex to inhibit access by other subsystems to data resources in which the failed subsystem held a lock prior to the subsystem failure.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of maintaining in each complex a lock control structure, each lock control structure denoting the congruence classes in which each complex has an interest and those for which each complex has private use, and further denoting the complex subsystems identified to both lock control structures.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of operating each complex to maintain within its lock control structure locks on data resources held by its subsystems.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step responsive to failure of a first subsystem of retaining in its associated lock control structure locks held by said first subsystem until such locks are released by restart or recovery of the first subsystem.
 6. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step responsive to failure of the communication link and subsequent recovery of communications of exchanging between complexes the lock control structure data denoting congruence classes of interest or private use, and the data denoting the identified subsystems.
 7. A method for controlling access to shared data resources in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming general purpose computing environment to inhibit access to data resources that may be inconsistent due to failures of a communication link, operating system, subsystem, or lock control structure, the method comprising the steps of:maintaining within each of a plurality of central electronic complexes a lock control structure, the lock control structure including a global hash table containing for each complex an indication of interest in data resources in a plurality of congruence classes, the lock control structure also including a subsystem list identifying each subsystem associated with any lock control structure; responsive to failure of a first subsystem, retaining within the lock control structure all locks previously granted to said first subsystem until released by restart or recovery of said first subsystem, and enabling access by the other subsystems only to specific data resources not locked by said first subsystem; responsive to failure of a first operating system on a first complex, retaining in the lock control structure of the other complexes the global hash table entries for the first complex, inhibiting the granting of new locks for data resources in those congruence classes in which the first complex had an interest until the global hash table entries for the first complex have been cleared by restart/recovery of all subsystems associated with the lock control structure of the first complex; responsive to failure of a communication link interconnecting two complexes, operating each complex to inhibit the granting of locks for any data resource of a congruence class in which the complex did not have a prior interest together with no prior interest by the other complex.
 8. A computing system adapted for inhibiting access to shared data resources that may be inconsistent due to a failure, comprising:first and second central electronic complexes; communication means for interconnecting said complexes; data storage means for storing data resources for sharing by said complexes; each said complex including:a plurality of management subsystems for accessing said data resources; a lock manager for selectively granting, waiting, and denying locks for data resources to said subsystems; each said lock manager including:global hash table means for denoting for each congruence class the interest state of each complex; subsystem list means for denoting each subsystem associated with a lock manager; and held lock means for denoting resource locks held by subsystems in the complex of the lock manager; and operating means in each complex for controlling the operation of the computing system for retaining locks for data resources selectively across failures of a complex, of a subsystem, and of the communication means; the operating means being(1) responsive to a failure of a first subsystem for retaining all locks held by said first subsystem until released by restart or recovery thereof, and for granting locks for enabling access by the other subsystems only to data resources not locked by said first subsystem; (2) responsive to failure of a complex for retaining in the other complex the global hash table entries of the failed complex, and for enabling access by the other complex only to data resources of a congruence class in which the failed complex did not have an interest; and (3) responsive to failure of said communication means for enabling access by each complex to data resources in congruence classes in which the complex had a private use state prior to the communication failure. 